Sunday, May 24, 2026

1981 DRAKE'S BIG PITCHERS: NOLAN RYAN

Good day all!
On the blog today, we spotlight my 1981 "Drake's Big Pitchers" card for the great Nolan Ryan, from my fun custom set released last year:
 



What really needs to be said about a guy who has become more myth than baseball legend?
300+ wins, 5700+ strikeouts, 60+ shutouts, and oh yeah SEVEN no-hitters, two of which came when he was well into his 40’s while with the Texas Rangers!
I love thinking about the fact that he did most of his damage in the American League with the designated hitter. Now imagine how many strikeouts he could have had in his prime pitching in the National League where the pitcher batted?!
Would it be safe to say you could add 20-30 strikeouts a season to his total? More?
Hey, you never know…
Nevertheless, the man became a baseball God, eventually finding his place in the Hall of Fame upon his first year of eligibility as an absolute no-brainer.
I just thank the skies above that I got to see him pitch in-person!
 

FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER...

@wthballs
Everything baseball: cards, events, history and more.